In today's world of baseball, batters are typically questioned whether they are using substances or steroids to boost their stats. Pitchers have mostly avoided the spotlight, though some have been questioned for the same things. Doctoring pitches is also added into it if they were to get caught. Cleveland Indians pitcher Trevor Bauer has some thoughts on the Houston Astros starting rotation.
Bauer has gone on Twitter thinking the Astros starters are using substances to help with their spin rate of the baseball. Some of them like Lance McCullers are not responding enthusiastically about this. I kind of buy into this... somewhat. I'm looking at mainly Gerrit Cole and Charlie Morton. As far as others go, Justin Verlander has always been a dominant pitcher and he has built a very solid career. Most likely, another four to five years of success, and he can be heading to Cooperstown. The only thing that seems off might be his ERA but that's not much to really go on. He's just a lethal pitcher. No way is he putting illegal substances on the ball. However we'll have to see how the year goes for him before making a final judgment.
Morton has never had a strong career Inconsistency, injuries, you name it. Even though he put up career numbers last year, it wasn't the greatest. His stuff this year is a little questionable, but he's probably the healthiest he's been in a while. Being able to pitch without batting most of the time in the American League can feel pretty good. The only thing that sticks out with Cole is his ERA and strikeouts. He's only 27 years old. I wouldn't say he's using substances to help his spin rate. If he is, shame on him, because those kind of pitchers his age can be dominant with their arms.
The only guy I've thought would doctor their pitches is Dallas Keuchel. I've seen filthy pitches in my life that can strike out batters, but nothing this filthy. Just some of his sliders seem doctored. Like Morton, he hasn't had a strong career. The last few years haven't been his best due to injury and just not being as good. Not as bad as 2012 and 2013, but still disappointing. I feel like he's the only one that would use substances on the baseball, but his career numbers just don't add up. The only other starter is Lance McCullers. I don't think he's doing anything illegal. He's still a young pitcher, still has a career in the making, so there's nothing that makes me think he's using substances.
I kind of buy it, but I don't at the same time. Verlander has been on a resurgence going back to 2016. Morton is just a healthy pitcher who isn't coming off of injury from the previous season. Cole and McCullers are young talent that can be beneficial to a team. Keuchel... I don't know. Bauer needs a lot more than just spin rates. Then again, there's worse accusations.
